The Zonzamas Handball Club takes a decisive step in its commitment to equality and accessibility with the launch of "Handball in Key", an inclusive pilot project that promotes the participation of people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities in handball. The initiative is supported by the Gasque Sports Foundation, an organization founded by Kenneth Gasque, creator of Ironman Lanzarote, and committed to building a fairer community through sports.
The pilot project will take place during the 2025/2026 academic year and will culminate with an inclusive tournament at the San Bartolomé Municipal Pavilion in May 2026. Throughout the year, adapted training sessions, awareness days, and educational activities will be carried out, aimed at promoting values such as respect, coexistence, and equal opportunities.
“Handball in Key” is aimed, during this preliminary phase, at students from the special education classrooms of the IES San Bartolomé and the IES Playa Honda, as well as associations that work with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other conditions, promoting real integration through sports. Once the viability and operation of the pilot project have been tested, there will be a second phase of consolidation and deployment in other municipalities, educational centers, and associations.
Inclusive and accessible pavilion
In addition, the club will adapt its facilities to create an accessible and sensory-safe environment, incorporating ARASAAC pictograms — images that represent words and concepts to facilitate communication, especially for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or communication difficulties —, quiet zones, and adapted headphones for people with sensitivity to noise so that the atmosphere of a match day is compatible with all conditions.
The club's president, Juan Rivera, highlighted the importance of this project for the community. "This project reflects our commitment to handball without barriers. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the sport that we are passionate about, share experiences, and feel part of the same team. And all this while acquiring healthy habits and the noble values of sports."
With "Balonmano en Clave" (Handball in Code), Club Balonmano Zonzamas is consolidating its position as a benchmark for inclusive sports in Lanzarote, paving the way for the creation of a future Inter-Island Inclusive Handball League and demonstrating that sport can be a powerful tool for building a more egalitarian and participatory society.